Happy All-Ireland hurling semi-final weekend!

First up in Croke Park this evening is Cork versus Dublin, while Tipperary and Kilkenny go head to head tomorrow.

Emma Duffy with you here from GAA HQ, where Fintan O’Toole is also on duty.

Throw-in is at 5pm, with the action live on RTÉ 2 and BBC Sport NI.

Here’s the teams, as they were named during the week. We’ll bring you any late changes.

Cork

1. Patrick Collins (Ballinhassig)

2. Niall O’Leary (Castlelyons), 3. Eoin Downey (Glen Rovers), 4. Seán O’Donoghue (Inniscarra)

5. Ciarán Joyce (Castlemartyr), 6. Robert Downey (Glen Rovers), 7. Mark Coleman (Blarney)

8. Tim O’Mahony (Newtownshandrum), 9. Darragh Fitzgibbon (Charleville)

10. Diarmuid Healy (Lisgoold), 11. Shane Barrett (Blarney), 12. Declan Dalton (Fr O’Neill’s)

13. Patrick Horgan (Glen Rovers), 14. Alan Connolly (Blackrock), 15. Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s)

Subs

• 16. Brion Saunderson (Midleton)
• 17. Damie Cahalane (St Finbarr’s)
• 18. Ger Millerick (Fr O’Neill’s)
• 19. Tommy O’Connell (Midleton)
• 20. Ethan Twomey (St Finbarr’s)
• 21. Luke Meade (Newcestown)
• 22. Brian Roche (Bride Rovers)
• 23. Jack O’Connor (Sarsfields)
• 24. Shane Kingston (Douglas)
• 25. Robbie O’Flynn (Erins Own)
• 26. Conor Lehane (Midleton).

Dublin

1. Sean Brennan (Cuala)

2. John Bellew (Lucan Sarsfields), 3. Paddy Smyth (Clontarf), 4. Conor McHugh (Na Fianna)

5. Paddy Doyle (Naomh Barróg), 6. Conor Burke (St Vincent’s), 7. Andrew Dunphy (St Brigid’s)

8. Conor Donohoe (Erin’s Isle), 9. Brian Hayes (Kilmacud Crokes)

10. Rian McBride (St Vincent’s) 11. Fergal Whitely (Kilmacud Crokes), 12. Darragh Power (Fingallians)

13. Sean Currie (Na Fianna), 14. Ronan Hayes (Kilmacud Crokes), 15. Cian O’Sullivan (St Brigid’s)

Subs

• 16. Eddie Gibbons (Kilmacud Crokes)
• 17. Dónal Burke (Na Fianna)
• 18. Colin Currie (Na Fianna)
• 19. Paddy Dunleavy (Ballyboden St Enda’s)
• 20. Daire Gray (Whitehall Colmcille)
• 21. John Hetherton (St Vincent’s)
• 22. Andrew Jamieson-Murphy (Na Fianna)
• 23. David Lucey (Kilmacud Crokes)
• 24. Paul O’Dea (Na Fianna)
• 25. Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing (Commercials)
• 26. Conal Ó Riain (Kilmacud Crokes).

Dublin have just come onto the pitch to a big reception of, ‘Come on you Boys In Blue,’ from Hill 16. Plenty of red in there too, but there seem to be much more Cork fans spread across the stadium.

The Rebel Roar rings around Croke Park as the team flash up on the TV screens and make their way onto the pitch. It’s loud! We’re set for a full house this evening.

One Dublin change - John Hetherton starts instead of Darragh Power.

So, that’s three changes apiece from their last outings. 

Robert Downey, Niall O’Leary and Declan Dalton start for Cork ahead of injured duo Seamus Harnedy and Cormac O’Brien, and Damien Cahalane, who drops to the bench.

The other Dublin switches are Conor Donohoe and Darragh Power for the suspended Chris Crummey and Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing.

Dublin are contesting their first All-Ireland semi-final since 2013, when they were incidentally beaten by Cork. They are dreaming of a first All-Ireland appearance since 1961.

Cork, meanwhile, have their sights set on ending their 20-year wait for Liam MacCarthy, stretching back to 2005.

Johnny Murphy from Limerick is today’s referee.

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Call it. Who will win today’s All-Ireland senior hurling semi-final?

Incredible noise and colour during the parade, the atmosphere is electric here in Croke Park. Both sides huddle before the anthem. Tributes are also paid to the late Phyllis Hetherton, Brother Kevin Crowley and Oisín Hoy.

Throw in - we’re off.

Dublin 0-1 Cork 0-0 

1 min - First blood Dublin through Cian O’Sullivan.

Dublin 0-1 Cork 0-1

2 mins - Declan Dalton scores a long-range free he won himself.

Both defences have been busy early doors, a huge block from Dublin and a vital interception at the other end.

Cork 0-2 Dublin 0-1

3 mins - Brian Hayes fires over, before Dalton misses from range.

Cork 0-2 Dublin 0-2

5 mins - Seán Currie nails a free from the right, just outside football’s 40m scoring arc, after his jersey was pulled by Niall O’Leary.

GOAL! Cork 1-2 Dublin 0-2 (Brian Hayes, 7 mins)

First green flag of the evening, as Hayes finishes off a lovely Cork team move into Hill 16.

Cork 1-2 Dublin 0-4

7 mins - Dublin respond to the goal with two points, the first from Fergal Whitely.

Cork 1-3 Dublin 0-4

8 mins - Tim O’ Mahony on target for the Rebels, who have just won a free . . .

Andy Dunphy is booked, Patrick Horgan stands over it.

Cork 1-4 Dublin 0-4

9 mins - Hoggie is off the mark in this All-Ireland semi-final.

Cork 1-5 Dublin 0-4

10 mins - Hoggie adds another free.

GOAL! Cork 2-5 Dublin 0-4 (Alan Connolly, 12 mins)

What a finish that was from Connolly. ‘Rebels, Rebels’ rings out around Croker, the Leesiders are enjoying this one.

GOAL! Cork 3-5 Dublin 0-5 (Alan Connolly 14 mins)

Wow, what a start for Cork. Three goals within 15 minutes, two from Alan Connolly. We’ll bring you the videos of those once we can catch our breath.

GOAL! Cork 3-5 Dublin 1-5 (Cian O’Sullivan 16 mins)

Dublin raise their first green flag of the evening, O’Sullivan slamming home to cut the gap. 

They’ve already made a change: David Lucey for Andy Dunphy.

Cork 3-7 Dublin 1-6 

17 mins - Brian Hayes and Darragh Fitzgibbon trade scores, before Dalton adds another for Cork.

Cork 3-8 Dublin 1-6

19 mins - Connolly gets his first point of the day, that’s 2-1 for the Blackrock forward.

CROSSBAR! Whiteley rattles the bar, before a Cork goal chance is cut out at the other end. It’s all go.

Cork 3-8 Dublin 1-7

21 mins - Dublin add another point, and make another change. Darragh Power replaces Conor McHugh.

Here’s some of the goals:

We have our first green flag of the evening and it's come via Brian Hayes as he gets on the end of a lovely Cork move...
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— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 5, 2025

Cork have smashed Dublin early. Brian Hayes turns provider for Alan Connolly... worrying times for Dublin.
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— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 5, 2025

"We were expecting a festival of goals, we've got four in 15 minutes!"
Still a long way back for Dublin, but perhaps they're not dead just yet...
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— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 5, 2025

Cork 3-9 Dublin 1-8

23 mins - Hoggie free, O’Sullivan responds from play at the other end.

Yellow card shown to the sideline, can’t make out who it was, a selector or coach anyway.

Cork 3-9 Dublin 1-8

26 mins - Two Cork wides in the last few minutes, Dalton and Shane Barrett; Conor Donohue with one at the other end. Seven in it.

Cork 3-9 Dublin 1-9

27 mins - Conor Burke from range.

Cork 3-9 Dublin 1-10

28 mins – Currie raises the game’s latest white flag with a free, not dissimilar to one he had earlier but from the left.

Battle of the chants here: Come on you Boys in Blue v Rebels, Rebels.

Cork 3-10 Dublin 1-10

29 mins - Dalton brings the gap back to six.

Cork 3-11 Dublin 1-11

30 mins - O’Sullivan and Hoggie trade scores, the latter a beauty from under the Hogan.

GOAL! Cork 4-11 Dublin 1-11 (Brian Hayes, 32 mins)

It had been some 18 minutes since we had a goal, in fairness . . . 

Brian Hayes finishes off another superb Cork team move to bag his second. Connolly, the other double goalscorer, with the final pass.

Cork 4-11 Dublin 1-11 

34 mins - Hoggie misses his first free from distance, before Connolly sends a pointed effort across the face of goal.

Cork 4-12 Dublin 1-11

35 mins - Connolly nails his next chance.

Two minutes added on.

Cork 4-12 Dublin 1-11

35 mins +1 - Currie floats one over. 10 in it.

Cork 4-13 Dublin 1-12

36 mins +2 - Fitzgibbon at one end, Currie with a free at the other.

HALF TIME: Cork 4-13 Dublin 1-12 

James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

Well, what about that for an opening half from Cork? The Rebels hit 4-13, Brian Hayes and Alan Connolly with two goals apiece. Hayes, in particular, has been astonishing. Cian O’Sullivan raised Dublin’s green flag in the 16th minute, 3-5 to 1-5 at that stage. 

Here’s Hayes second goal, as the Cork full-forward line run riot:

The Cork inside-forward line is having a field day at Croke Park. It's a fourth goal for the Rebels and a second for Brian Hayes as half-time approaches...
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— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 5, 2025

Probably best combined display from Cork's full-forward since Munster first round in Ennis.

Interplay for last goal was excellent, have 4-7 between them already. Dublin struggling to stop Hayes and Connolly.

— Fintan O'Toole (@fotoole13) July 5, 2025

Today’s attendance confirmed as a full house at half time.

Dublin out first, Cork follow them to huge noise.

SECOND HALF - We’re back underway.

Dónal Burke in for Dublin, replacing Riain McBride.

Cork 4-14 Dublin 1-12

37 mins - Hoggie with the first score of the second half, Dublin spurn a goal chance at the other end.

Cork 4-15 Dublin 1-12 

38 mins – Two Cork wides, a Dalton long-range free the second. His next involvement is a darting ball to Diarmuid Healy, who grabs his first point of the day.

Cork 4-16 Dublin 1-13

40 mins – Whitely points for Dublin, Hoggie free for Cork.

GOAL! Cork 5-16 Dublin 1-13 (Tim O’Mahony, 42 mins)

Anooooother one. Tim O’Mahony gets in on the goalscoring act for the Rebels.

Cork 5-17 Dublin 1-14

43 mins - Currie free, Fitzgibbon responds.

Cork 5-17 Dublin 1-15

46 mins - Currie with another free. Referee stops a puckout to have a word with Fitzgibbon and Power.

Dublin substitution - Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing for Ronan Hayes.

GOAL! Cork 5-17 Dublin 2-15 (Cian O’Sullivan, 48 mins)

Dublin opt to go short with a tap-over free, O’Sullivan firing home with a Cork deflection.

Cork 5-17 Dublin 2-17

49 mins - Apologies, we’ve had some technical difficulties here, but since that O’Sullivan goal, Dublin have enjoyed a bit of a purple patch, adding two more scores, one from John Hetherton.

Cork sub - Robbie O’Flynn for Diarmuid Healy.

GOAL! Cork 6-17 Dublin 2-17

And just like that, Cork score their SIXTH goal. O’Mahony on target again, that’s two goals for him, Hayes and Connolly.

Cork 6-19 Dulin 2-17

54 mins - Hoggie clips two frees.

Here’s two of the second half goals:

"A little smile there and he's entitled to it..."
A fifth goal for Cork, it's come from the stick of Tim O'Mahony.
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— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 5, 2025

It's a second goal for Cian O'Sullivan. Dublin still a long way back. But the St Brigid's man at least gets them three points closer...
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— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) July 5, 2025

Cork substitution - Shane Kingston for Patrick Horgan. Huge noise as Hoggie departs, the Rebel support chanting his name.

Cork 6-20 Dublin 2-17

58 mins - Dalton lands a monster score, clenching his fist and celebrating as it sails over the Canal End goal. Came after a big block.

Cork substitution - Tommy O’Connell for Rob Downey.

Cork 6-21 Dublin 2-18

59 mins – Ciarán Joyce dances through the Dublin defence to get his name on the scoresheet and cancel out Dublin’s earlier point. 

Cork 6-21 Dublin 2-19

60 mins - HawkEye is consulted for the first time this evening to confirm an O’Sullivan point for Dublin.

Cork 6-23 Dublin 2-19 

62 mins - Dalton takes over close-range free-taking duties in Hoggie’s absence and blazes one over. Shane Kingston adds another from play.

Cork sub - Conor Lehane for Shane Barrett.

Cork 6-24 Dublin 2-19

64 mins - Kingston gets his second from the bench.

Brian Hayes celebrates scoring his side's fourth goal. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

GOAL! Cork 7-25 Dublin 2-19 (Alan Connolly, 66 mins)

My God! Hat-trick for Connolly. What an incredible finish. Not much else to say.

Conor Lehane with a score before that, and he played the final pass for the goal.

Cork 7-25 Dublin 2-20 

67 mins - Dublin respond with a point, and some substitutions are made down the stretch.

Cork 7-25 Dublin 2-21

69 mins - Dónal Burke with a nice score. The gap is 19.

Cork 7-25 Dublin 2-21 

70 mins - Currie goes for goal from a free, Patrick Collins stops it. A skirmish breaks out, Hetherton shown a yellow card.

Four minutes added on.

Cork 7-26 Dublin 2-21

70 mins +2 - Cork aren’t done yet! Substitute Jack O’Connor with a fine effort.

Cork 7-26 Cork 2-21 

70 mins +3 – Collins easily stops another Currie free as they try for a late goal.

Cork 7-26 Cork 2-21 

70 mins +4 - Dublin drop a long-range free in, Cork stand firm, that should be that.

FULL TIME: Cork 7-26 Dublin 2-21  

Ryan Byrne / INPHO Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO

‘Killeagh’ rings out around Croke Park as Cork celebrate an emphatic win, and their return to the All-Ireland final. They will now look to lift Liam MacCarthy for the first time since 2005.

Hat-trick hero Alan Connolly named Man of the Match, as the Cork celebrations continue in Croke Park. The Frank and Walters’ After All, the next song of choice.

That’s all from our liveblog, but Fintan O’Toole’s report will be on The 42 imminently.

We’re both running down to the press conferences for reaction, so there’ll be much more on the site over the coming hours and days.

Thanks for reading. Have a good evening!